Swalwell Staffer Flies to Colombia to Deliver Hearing Aid for Deported Deaf Boy

Six-year-old Joseph was not allowed to take his hearing devices when his family was deported last week.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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A member of U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell's staff flew to Colombia to bring a hearing aid for a six-year-old deaf boy whose family was deported from the United States last week. The boy's mother, Lesly Rodriguez Gutierrez, an undocumented Colombian immigrant, was detained along with her sons during a routine check-in with federal immigration officials and the family was subsequently deported to Colombia. The family's attorney called the circumstances of the deportation a violation of due process, as the boy was not allowed to take his necessary hearing devices with him.

Why it matters

This case highlights the human impact of immigration enforcement actions, particularly when vulnerable individuals like children with disabilities are involved. It raises questions about the policies and procedures governing deportations and whether they adequately consider the needs of those being removed from the country.

The details

Lesly Rodriguez Gutierrez, an undocumented Colombian immigrant who had lived in the United States since 2022, was detained along with her sons during a routine check-in with federal immigration officials last Tuesday. The family was subsequently deported to Colombia. Her six-year-old son, Joseph, who is deaf, was not permitted to take his hearing devices with him.

  • On March 7, 2026, Lesly Rodriguez Gutierrez and her sons were detained by federal immigration officials during a routine check-in.
  • On March 8, 2026, the Rodriguez Gutierrez family was deported to Colombia.

The players

Eric Swalwell

A U.S. Representative from California's 15th congressional district, who held a press conference about the case.

Lesly Rodriguez Gutierrez

An undocumented Colombian immigrant who had lived in the United States since 2022 and was deported with her sons, including her deaf six-year-old son Joseph.

Joseph

The six-year-old deaf son of Lesly Rodriguez Gutierrez, who was not allowed to take his hearing devices with him when the family was deported to Colombia.

Nikolas De Bremaeker

The family's attorney, who called the circumstances of the deportation a violation of due process.

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What they’re saying

“No sane human, no person with a beating heart would allow this to go on. And yet it does.”

— Eric Swalwell, U.S. Representative (ktvu.com)

“It shocks the conscience. Deporting a non-citizen without allowing them access to devices needed to communicate fundamentally violates due process.”

— Nikolas De Bremaeker, Family Attorney (ktvu.com)

What’s next

Multiple members of California's congressional delegation are pressuring the Department of Homeland Security to allow the family to return to the United States, and lawmakers have launched a formal inquiry into the matter. The family's attorney is also seeking an exemption for the family on humanitarian parole grounds.

The takeaway

This case highlights the human impact of immigration enforcement actions, particularly when vulnerable individuals like children with disabilities are involved. It raises questions about the policies and procedures governing deportations and whether they adequately consider the needs of those being removed from the country.